What’s On in Paris – May 2025 Events Guide

May in Paris is when the city feels most alive. The gardens are in full bloom, café terraces buzz with conversation, and the cultural calendar is packed. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you know the boulevards by heart, May 2025 brings new reasons to explore Paris. From major sports events and gourmet festivals to jazz concerts and open museum nights, there’s something happening every week that’s worth your attention.

Here’s a complete guide to the main events lighting up Paris this May.

🎾 French Open at Roland-Garros

Tennis fans, get ready—one of the biggest tournaments of the year returns to Paris.
The French Open is the highlight of the clay court season, drawing the world’s best players and tens of thousands of fans to Roland-Garros. Expect two weeks of top-tier matches, legendary showdowns, and an electric atmosphere across the city.

• Dates: May 25 – June 8, 2025

• Location: Stade Roland-Garros

• Details: See stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek defend their titles.

• Tickets: Prices vary; early booking strongly advised.

🎷 Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival

Feel the rhythm of Paris at one of the city’s most beloved music festivals.
For two weeks, Saint-Germain’s streets and venues fill with smooth jazz sounds. Intimate concerts, masterclasses, and spontaneous jam sessions bring legends and new talents together, all in one of Paris’s most historic districts.

• Dates: May 9 – 20, 2025

• Location: Various venues in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

• Details: Enjoy performances from global jazz icons and emerging stars.

• Tickets: Prices depend on the event; check the official program.

🍽️ Taste of Paris

If you love food, this festival needs to be on your calendar.
Taste of Paris transforms the Grand Palais into a foodie paradise where top chefs showcase their finest creations. It’s the perfect chance to sample high-end cuisine, meet the chefs, and pick up new cooking skills in workshops.

• Dates: May 9 – 12, 2025

• Location: Grand Palais

• Details: Tasting sessions, live demos, and chef meet-and-greets.

• Tickets: Available online; prices vary depending on session.

🏛️ Nuit des Musées (European Night of Museums)

See Paris’s world-class museums like you’ve never seen them before—after dark.
On one magical evening, dozens of museums open late into the night, hosting special exhibitions, concerts, and interactive performances. It’s a rare chance to experience famous collections in a unique atmosphere.

• Date: May 17, 2025

• Location: Museums across Paris

• Details: Highlights include events at the Swedish Institute and Musée d’Orsay.

• Tickets: Free entry; some exhibits require prior registration.

🍺 Paris Beer Festival

Craft beer lovers, this one’s for you.
The Paris Beer Festival is a week-long celebration of brewing creativity, with tastings, brewery tours, workshops, and meet-the-brewer events. Sip on everything from hazy IPAs to bold stouts while exploring Paris’s thriving craft scene.

• Dates: May 20 – 26, 2025

• Location: Bars, breweries, and event spaces across Paris

• Details: Featuring brewers from France and around the world.

• Tickets: Event-specific; check participating venues.

🏇 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris

The biggest horse race of the season gallops back into Paris.
The Grand Steeple-Chase at Hippodrome d’Auteuil is a thrilling test of stamina and skill, where elite jockeys and their thoroughbreds compete for prestige and prizes. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in equestrian sports or a grand day out.

• Date: May 17, 2025

• Location: Hippodrome d’Auteuil

• Details: Premier steeplechase event with an elegant, lively atmosphere.

• Tickets: Prices vary depending on seating.

🥖 Fête du Pain (Bread Festival)

Freshly baked traditions fill the air outside Notre-Dame.
Fête du Pain is a celebration of one of France’s most beloved foods: bread. Watch artisan bakers in action, taste different regional specialties, and enjoy a slice (or two) of authentic French culture.

• Dates: May 1 – 11, 2025

• Location: Parvis de Notre-Dame

• Details: Baking demonstrations, competitions, and free tastings.

• Tickets: Free to attend.

🖼️ Paris Art Exhibitions

Spring is also prime time for groundbreaking art exhibitions across Paris.
Major galleries and museums will be hosting exciting shows, including a Dolce & Gabbana retrospective at the Grand Palais, as well as new exhibitions at the Louvre and Centre Pompidou, covering everything from Renaissance art to fashion and design.

• Dates: Throughout May 2025

• Location: Various museums and galleries

• Details: Diverse exhibitions on art, fashion, and culture.

• Tickets: Prices vary; check each museum’s site.

🥋 Patrice Evra’s MMA Debut at PFL Paris

Sports fans, get ready for something unexpected!
Former football superstar Patrice Evra is stepping into the MMA cage for his debut at the Professional Fighters League event in Paris. With a card packed with talent, this night promises action, surprises, and major crowd energy.

• Date: May 23, 2025

• Location: Accor Arena

• Details: MMA bouts featuring Patrice Evra and international fighters.

• Tickets: Pricing and booking through PFL’s official platform.

Final Thoughts

Paris in May 2025 is packed with reasons to fall in love with the city all over again. Whether you’re drawn by the roar of Roland-Garros, the smooth notes of jazz in Saint-Germain, or the scent of fresh baguettes outside Notre-Dame, you’ll find an event that captures the spirit of the City of Light.

Art, food, music, sports, and pure celebration fill the calendar. Planning ahead is key, especially for major events like the French Open and Nuit des Musées. But no matter when you arrive, Paris in May is ready to surprise, delight, and inspire you at every turn.

Pack light—but leave room for memories.